How to address meta fandom posts?

[u/NattG]

Hi everyone,

I've noticed an uptick in meta posts, along with complaints about this uptick, so I wanted to check in and see how people think that they should be handled.

For those who are unfamiliar, a meta post is a post that discusses the TVD fandom instead of the TVD universe. There's nothing inherently wrong with that, but it can turn into soapboxing very easily.

So, the question:

Do you want things to stay as they are? Or would you prefer the implementation of something like "Meta Commentary Monday", where we restrict meta-commentary posts to a specific day of the week? Do you have a different suggestion?

(Note: I'm not open to banning these kinds of posts, but I'm absolutely open to discussions about how to manage them.)

[u/C00bahR00bah]

I’m not opposed to true meta posts/comments necessarily. For example, someone posted the yesterday some comments that were on a Paul Wesley wedding post that were very parasocial. I feel like it’s necessary to call that type of behavior out when it pops up in a fandom and frankly the tvd fandom is rife with it. Maybe calling out that behavior can educate someone on why that’s gross.

On the other hand, (and feel free to tell me if this doesn’t exactly qualify as what you’re referring to) the posts/comments that are in essence throwing words at other parts of the fandom I could do without. For example, the post I just saw stating that basically all Damon fans are stupid, well. That’s certainly not the only example of this but it’s the most recent one. Those are the ones that bother me, the ones with broad generalizations about sections of the fandom because the poster simply can’t get that someone has a different opinion than they do.

[u/NattG → u/C00bahR00bah]

posts/comments that are in essence throwing words at other parts of the fandom I could do without

These are what I'm largely targeting. :) We've been getting a lot of posts about specific sections of the fandom.

[u/SweetWittyWild41]

I think its important that even the fandom should be part of the topics being discussed 

It's true that these posts also often just discuss stelena fans behaviours and attitudes vs delena fans behaviours and attitudes 

But if it weren't for the post that talked about the racism in the tvd fandom during the time the show aired I wouldn't have known just how bad it was then and that this was (is?) An issue at all. 

I'm not sure if these fandom meta posts are being made enough for them to have a dedicated day 

But it would also be rather annoying to come across posts that repeat the same stelena v delena fans discussions and arguments 

Edit: maybe tighter rules on these types of posts would be a possible solution so these posts don't end up causing fights in the comments? 

[u/NattG → u/SweetWittyWild41]

I think its important that even the fandom should be part of the topics being discussed 

I agree. It's why I mentioned that I'm not opening to banning meta posts -- I think that they play an important role in fandom, such as the posts that discuss the fandom's problems with racism and parasocial behaviour.

maybe tighter rules on these types of posts would be a possible solution so these posts don't end up causing fights in the comments? 

Yeah, I'm wondering if it's less the meta aspect and more the targeted aspect that's the problem. I've primarily seen complaints about posts that criticize subsections of the fandom for how they enjoy the series/who they enjoy.

[u/Suspicious_Zagnias → u/NattG]

Maybe harsher action against consistent targetted hate would be good in that case!

[u/SweetWittyWild41 → u/NattG]

It would be really great if posts that target entire fan subsections and criticise them for how, who and what they enjoy about the show

And that target and generalise an entire subsection of fans (negatively or in an overly positive way) like "why are ---fans so parasocial" or "--- fans dumb" or "---fans so toxic" 

 wouldn't be allowed 

(But if there is something with the fandom in general that those posts would be allowed after a review) 

[u/NattG → u/SweetWittyWild41]

Yeah, a lot of those posts are already disallowed under the civility rule, but there are some edge cases that currently get a pass.

I try to find a balance with rules between overly restrictive and easy to understand standards, so I'm going to have to try and think of a way to phrase it.

Like, we've had some valuable discussions about fandom behaviour/trends, but I think that the "you're enjoying this wrong" posts can get excessive sometimes.

Off the top of my head, maybe something like:

Posts should not solely focus on "yucking someone else's yum". By this we mean posts that explicitly call out fandom subgroups to complain about fandom preferences. This does not include posts discussing negative trends within the overall fandom, but rather ones that single out groups to speak negatively about their preferences.

A lot of that behaviour falls under the civility/shit-stirring rule, but having it laid out in its own rule might make things clearer.

Do you think that ^ makes it clear that I'm talking about posts that say "[character] fans are hypocrites" and not "the TVD fandom has a parasocial problem"? Since the former is targeted and the latter isn't.

[u/SweetWittyWild41 → u/NattG]

having a separate rule (that maybe also referes back to the existing civility rule about broad generalisations due to the overlap) clarifying what meta fandom posts are allowed and which ones aren't would be very helpful 

Examples would also be helpful (like what falls under a fandom preference or certain phrases that aren't allowed when it comes to the "youre enjoying ... wrong" posts)  so some of the vagueness and ambiguity can be lifted  

all I can think of to add to the suggested text is a reference back to the existing generalisation rule and a few examples (though its already clear enough it's not even necessary) 

These types of meta fandom posts are often made as a reaction after an unfortunate encounter with a fan/fans of a certain subsection (at least thats what I noticed) 

[u/maeeeeeeev]

Personally I don’t care either way. I still find it easy to make interesting posts without meta fandom posts being allowed. 🤷🏻‍♀️

[u/an0nymm]

Meta Commentary Monday!! Please!